Edin Cocalić (Bosnian pronunciation: [ědin tsǒtsalitɕ]; born 5 December 1987) is a Bosnian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.

Edin Cocalić
Cocalić playing for Željezničar in 2008
Personal information
Date of birth (1987-12-05) 5 December 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Višegrad, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Youth career
1999–2006 Željezničar
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 Željezničar 88 (5)
2010–2012 Panionios 48 (1)
2012–2015 Maccabi Haifa 77 (2)
2015–2019 Mechelen 106 (2)
2019–2020 Akhisarspor 42 (2)
2020 Altay 3 (0)
2021 Panetolikos 12 (0)
2022–2024 Željezničar 62 (2)
Total 438 (14)
International career
2003 Bosnia and Herzegovina U17 3 (1)
2005 Bosnia and Herzegovina U19 2 (0)
2007–2008 Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 5 (0)
2015–2017 Bosnia and Herzegovina 10 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Cocalić began his professional career at Željezničar, before joining Panionios in 2010. Two years later, he moved to Maccabi Haifa. In 2015, he was transferred to Mechelen. Four years later, Cocalić signed with Akhisarspor. Following Akhisarspor, he played for Altay and Panetolikos. In 2022, he returned to Željezničar, retiring in 2024.

A former youth international for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cocalić made his senior international debut in 2015, earning 10 caps until 2017.

Club career

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Early career

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Cocalić came through Željezničar's youth academy, which he joined in 1999. He made his professional debut in 2006 at the age of 18.[1]

In January 2010, Cocalić signed with Greek club Panionios.[2] In January 2012, he moved to Israeli outfit Maccabi Haifa.[3]

Mechelen

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On 31 January 2015, Cocalić signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Belgian side Mechelen.[4] A week later, he made his official debut for the club against Charleroi.[5] Two months later, he scored his first goal for Mechelen against Waasland-Beveren.[6]

In January 2017, Cocalić agreed to a new contract expiring in June 2020.[7]

On 23 January 2018, he played his 100th game for the team against St. Truiden.[8]

In spite of Mechelen's relegation to the Belgian First Division B in March 2018, Cocalić decided to stay at the club, and even extended his contract for additional season.[9]

Akhisarspor

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On 21 January 2019, Cocalić was transferred to Turkish team Akhisarspor for an undisclosed fee.[10] A week later, on his competitive debut for the club, he scored a goal and saw a straight red card.[11]

Even though Akhisarspor got relegated to the 1. Lig at the end of season, Cocalić chose to stay with the team.[12]

Later career

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After leaving Akhisarspor, Cocalić signed with 1. Lig club Altay in September 2020.[13]

On 17 January 2021, he joined Greek club Panetolikos.[14] In November 2021, Cocalić terminated his contract with Panetolikos and left the club.[15]

Return to Željezničar

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On 24 January 2022, Cocalić returned to his former club Željezničar, over a decade after he had left the club.[16] On 25 February 2022, he made his second debut for Željezničar, in a 2–0 league loss against Velež Mostar.[17] On 16 July 2022, he scored his first goal in the 2022–23 season against Leotar, his first Bosnian Premier League goal since October 2009.[18]

On 14 April 2024, Cocalić was sent off after a straight red card in the city derby against Sarajevo.[19] He left Željezničar after the end of the 2023–24 season and announced his retirement from professional football.[20]

International career

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Cocalić represented Bosnia and Herzegovina on all youth levels. He also served as captain of the under-17 team.[21]

In March 2015, he received his first senior call-up, for games against Andorra and Austria.[22] Cocalić debuted in a convincing triumph over the former on 28 March.[23]

Personal life

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Cocalić married his long-time girlfriend Merima in March 2010. Together they have two children, a girl and a boy.[24]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[25]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Željezničar 2005–06 Bosnian Premier League 6 0 1 0 7 0
2006–07 Bosnian Premier League 26 1 4 0 30 1
2007–08 Bosnian Premier League 23 1 5 1 28 2
2008–09 Bosnian Premier League 25 1 1 0 26 1
2009–10 Bosnian Premier League 8 2 2 0 10 2
Total 88 5 13 1 101 6
Panionios 2009–10 Super League Greece 7 1 1 0 8 1
2010–11 Super League Greece 26 0 0 0 26 0
2011–12 Super League Greece 15 0 2 1 17 1
Total 48 1 3 1 51 2
Maccabi Haifa 2011–12 Israeli Premier League 16 0 4 0 20 0
2012–13 Israeli Premier League 25 0 3 0 28 0
2013–14 Israeli Premier League 22 1 0 0 11 0 33 1
2014–15 Israeli Premier League 14 1 1 0 15 1
Total 77 2 8 0 11 0 96 2
Mechelen 2014–15 Belgian First Division A 15 1 15 1
2015–16 Belgian First Division A 24 1 3 1 27 2
2016–17 Belgian First Division A 36 0 2 0 38 0
2017–18 Belgian First Division A 26 0 2 0 28 0
2018–19 Belgian First Division B 5 0 2 1 7 1
Total 106 2 9 2 115 4
Akhisarspor 2018–19 Süper Lig 9 1 2 0 11 1
2019–20 1. Lig 33 1 0 0 3[a] 0 36 1
2020–21 1. Lig 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 42 2 2 0 3 0 47 2
Altay 2020–21 1. Lig 3 0 1 0 4 0
Panetolikos 2020–21 Super League Greece 12 0 1 0 1[b] 0 14 0
Željezničar 2021–22 Bosnian Premier League 11 0 11 0
2022–23 Bosnian Premier League 25 1 6 1 31 2
2023–24 Bosnian Premier League 26 1 1 0 3 0 30 1
Total 62 2 7 1 3 0 72 3
Career total 438 14 44 5 14 0 4 0 500 19
  1. ^ Two appearances in 1. Lig promotion playoffs, one appearance in 2019 Turkish Super Cup
  2. ^ One appearance in Super League Greece relegation play-offs

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[26]
National team Year Apps Goals
Bosnia and Herzegovina 2015 4 0
2016 3 0
2017 3 0
Total 10 0

References

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  1. ^ "Edin Cocalić: Želja mi je da se od fudbala oprostim u dresu Željezničara". scsport.ba (in Bosnian). 3 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Edin Cocalić nastavlja karijeru u grčkom Panioniosu". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 9 January 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  3. ^ "Cocalić: U Maccabiju sam odlično primljen". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 23 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Službeno: Cocalić potpisao za Mechelen". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  5. ^ "Cocaliću 90 minuta na debiju za Mechelen". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 7 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  6. ^ "Edin Cocalić postigao prvijenac u dresu Mechelena". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 5 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  7. ^ "Cocalić produžio ugovor sa Mechelenom". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 28 January 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Cocaliću 90 minuta u porazu Mechelena". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 23 January 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Cocalić donio odluku: Potpisao ugovor do 2022. godine". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 10 May 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Edin Cocalić potpisao za Akhisar". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 21 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  11. ^ "Cocalić postigao gol i dobio crveni karton na debiju za Akhisarspor". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 27 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  12. ^ "Cocalić ostaje u redovima Akhisarspora". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 31 July 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  13. ^ A. Čaušević (17 September 2020). "Cocalić je potpisao za svoj šesti klub u karijeri" (in Bosnian). sportsport.ba. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  14. ^ E. Škorić (17 January 2021). "Edin Cocalić ima novi klub" (in Bosnian). sportsport.ba. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  15. ^ S. Mlaćo (24 November 2021). "Cocalić napustio Grčku, u Sarajevu spreman dočekuje nove izazove" (in Bosnian). sportsport.ba. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  16. ^ G.Š. (24 January 2022). "Iz FK Željezničar potvrdili još jedan transfer" (in Bosnian). avaz.ba. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  17. ^ Muhamed Bogilović (25 February 2022). "Velež na krilima Haskića savladao Željezničar, loše suđenje Dragana Petrovića obilježilo utakmicu" (in Bosnian). Sport1.ba. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  18. ^ H. Zilić (16 July 2022). "Todorović šokirao Grbavicu, a onda Cocalić uzvratio majstorijom" (in Bosnian). sportsport.ba. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  19. ^ "Novi udarac za Željezničar: Nakon Hiroša, crveni karton dobio i Cocalić". Arena Sport (in Bosnian). 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  20. ^ N.K. (25 June 2024). "Cocalić se oprostio od Željezničara: Hvala što si mi pomogao da ostvarim snove" (in Bosnian). Klix.ba. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Cocalić: Ispunio mi se dječački san". avaz.ba (in Bosnian). 15 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  22. ^ "Baždarević danas otkriva karte: Na spisku Đurić, Cocalić, Šehić, Zukanović, Štilić..." klix.ba (in Bosnian). 16 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  23. ^ "Tri asistencije Lulića i tri gola Džeke za prva tri boda". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 28 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  24. ^ "Gdje su i kako bh. reprezentativci upoznali svoje ljepše polovine?". avaz.ba (in Bosnian). 18 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  25. ^ "E. Cocalić". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  26. ^ "Edin Cocalić". eu-football.info. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
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